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Effects of physical activity on sleep problems in breast cancer survivors: a meta-analysis

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Abstract

Purpose

To investigate the possible role of physical activity (PA) on sleep disturbance in breast cancer patients.

Methods

Literature in PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library was systematically searched until January 30, 2020. Randomized controlled trials that focused on the role of PA interventions on sleep disturbance were selected. The main outcome measures included the global Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) score and PSQI subscales. Subgroup analysis was performed based on the study area and intervention time. The stability and authenticity of the results were measured by sensitivity analysis and publication bias analysis, respectively.

Results

Six articles were included in this meta-analysis. There were no significant differences in global PSQI scores between the PA intervention group and the usual care group (P = 0.057). As for PSQI subscales, PA intervention could improve sleep quality (weighted mean difference = 0.22; 95% confidence interval 0.04–0.40; P = 0.018). There were no significant differences in sleep duration, sleep medication, sleep latency, habitual sleep efficiency, and daytime dysfunction between the two groups (all P > 0.05).

Conclusion

PA serves as an effective intervention to improve sleep quality.

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Data availability

The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

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Funding

This study was supported by the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (no. B210202175), the Hohai University Disciplinary Planning Program (no. 1013–418246) and Social Science Fund of Jiangsu Province (no. 19TYD001).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Physical Education Department, Hohai University, No. 1, Xikang Road, Gulou District, Nanjing, 210098, Jiangsu, China

    Hongchang Yang & Qiang Zhou

  2. College of Water Conservancy and Hydropower Engineering, Hohai University, Nanjing, 210098, Jiangsu, China

    Zheng Yang

  3. Centre of Counseling and Psychological Services, Hohai University, Nanjing, 210098, Jiangsu, China

    Hongyao Pan

Authors
  1. Hongchang Yang
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  2. Zheng Yang
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  3. Hongyao Pan
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  4. Qiang Zhou
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Contributions

Conception and design of the research: QZ and HY; acquisition of data: ZY and HP; analysis and interpretation of data: ZY and HP; statistical analysis: ZY and HP; obtained funding: QZ; drafting the manuscript: HY; and revision of the manuscript for important intellectual content: QZ. All authors have read and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Hongchang Yang or Qiang Zhou.

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Yang, H., Yang, Z., Pan, H. et al. Effects of physical activity on sleep problems in breast cancer survivors: a meta-analysis. Support Care Cancer 29, 4023–4032 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-020-05914-y

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